Stop Messing Around, Mr Bo! Chapter 2131 - Wen Yuan (25)

Shang Qingmo struggled to put her emotions into words.

Shattering every obstacle and severing the long-held uncle-nephew bond he had upheld for years. He knew without doubt that his desire for her had always been there.

Tracing back over five years, his affection toward her remained suppressed and shadowy.

He ought to have acted on this much earlier. There was no need for all that excessive concern.

Didn't she just complicate matters even more?

For the first time ever, he despised his own choice.

This might well be the greatest regret of his entire life.

“It’s my fault.”

Wrapping her in his embrace, his profound voice echoed beside her ears, laced with deep remorse and self-reproach.

Shang Qiqi shut her eyes and lightly shook her head within his hold. Moments of quiet passed before she murmured, “…Is the company facing major repercussions? Has the Song family caused you problems?”

“I’ll handle it. I’ll take care of all of it. Just remain faithfully at my side.”

“…Yes.”

A gentle kiss brushed her forehead, causing Shang Qiqi’s lashes to tremble.

She couldn’t conceal the rapid beating of her heart. Deep down, she anticipated an ideal resolution.

Truth be told, several days later, aside from heightened busyness, public sentiment stayed unchanged.

She had realized from the beginning that nobody would approve of their union.

She merely texted Han Jichi “I’m sorry” and ignored his incoming calls.

She stayed indoors too. Now and then, she browsed online for discussions about them—Hua Chen TV, the Shang family, the Han family, the Song family.

With the passage of time, buzz around their scandal slowly faded.

Life flowed calmly, as though no upheaval had occurred.

Her compliance likely soothed Shang Qingmo’s early irritation. It appeared that her simply staying obediently beside him resolved everything.

Though they had crossed the uncle-nephew boundary, the following days brought no intimacy.

They hadn’t even slept together.

They were a couple in name, yet it didn’t feel that way.

Apart from seeing him head to the office in the morning and return for evening meals, their encounters were rare.

A rising star in showbiz got exposed for being married with a kid. Crystal-clear snapshots and clips captured the trio vacationing abroad.

The kid’s face was pixelated, but their family moments brimmed with warmth.

Revealing romance or family was among the worst sins for male idols in entertainment.

At the peak of his fame, this revelation would surely rattle his fickle fans.

The scandal erupted for two days, captivating all attention and nearly eclipsing Hua Chen TV’s drama.

Even Shang Qiqi, idling at home, followed the frenzy on her phone.

Two days post-exposure, the star faced reporters outside Stars International Building, admitting his marriage and fatherhood.

Yet, their union was legitimate, their bond strong. No third parties, no infidelity, no vices. From debut, scandal-free, climbing via talent alone. The impact proved minimal.

During the conference, his demeanor stayed composed and dignified. He even thanked the leak, noting it solved his dilemma on coming out publicly—a perfect chance.

What a stand-up guy.

Amid the uproar, Shen Fanxing offered the deal to Hua Chen TV.

She later urged signing for Li Tingshen’s upcoming series.

After vetting, the script’s excellence was undeniable, prompting talks with Li Tingshen.

Given Hua Chen Television’s industry clout, it was the prime pick. Despite current turmoil, restarting elsewhere was an option, though Hua Chen wouldn’t push that hard.

Still, as a rare personal ally who’d made the request, she owed him that courtesy.

Being a production from Stars International and CP Entertainment made it highly sought-after. Shang Qingmo secured two exclusives, with Hua Chen TV’s platform holding sole streaming rights. No way Hua Chen TV would falter.

Shang Qingmo found Shen Fanxing’s push for Li Tingshen’s drama exclusives intriguing but didn’t question it.

Arriving at Li Tingshen’s firm that morning for contract talks, Li Tingshen appeared unusually cheerful.

Shang Qingmo perched on a seat in Li Tingshen’s office, eyeing the man lounging back in his leather chair with a subtle grin. She rubbed her temple, her tone cool and detached.

“Why? Ye Qingqiu is pregnant with her third child. Why are you so happy?”

At these words, Li Tingshen arched his brows, brushing off the icy look on Shang Qingmo’s face. He pressed his lips together before commenting, “You’ve still got the energy to question my joy?”

Shang Qingmo shot him a chilly glance. When this guy got lively, his ability to read people went right out the window.

Not bothering to let him poke fun, he silently pulled out the contract.

Having already discussed things over the phone, Li Tingshen grabbed the contract, skimmed through the pages, and finally set it aside with a grin, reclining in his seat.

Clearly, he had no plans to sign.

Shang Qingmo’s gaze grew a shade darker.

“Sign it quick. I’ve got other business to handle.”

A subtle smile played on Li Tingshen’s lips while his long fingers idly caressed the ring on his left ring finger.

“You’re one fine beauty. I’ve had you around for years now, and you’ve still got the nerve to pull this?”

Shang Qingmo’s face hardened completely. “You’ve enjoyed a few peaceful years. Got the guts to mock me already?”

“Mocking you? Not quite.” He let out a soft chuckle afterward. “More like I’m relieved to see you, always so sharp and level-headed, acting as foolish as I did.”

Shang Qingmo replied, “Don’t say your happiness today stems from that.”

Li Tingshen shook his head. “What really thrills me is that you’re conceding at least two profit points in this deal.”

Shang Qingmo’s brows furrowed, his icy stare fixing on Li Tingshen’s features.

“You’re counting your chickens too soon.”

Li Tingshen stayed utterly at ease, his grin unwavering. “Sure, I make a bit less cash. But the real win is securing the TV station’s standing in the market. You really believe everything’s fixed just ‘cause the little miss stays meek at home?”

Shang Qingmo’s face stiffened briefly.

With a light smirk, Li Tingshen eyed him and pressed on, “You that cold-blooded?”

Shang Qingmo compressed his lips into a thin line, brow creasing.

He wasn’t.

He had plenty weighing on his mind right now.

Without progress on Hua Chen’s issue and with it hitting hard, Qiqi would surely notice.

Maybe Li Tingshen was spot on—she’d been so compliant lately that he’d overlooked her feelings.

Noticing his demeanor, Li Tingshen grinned and went on leisurely.

“Otherwise, it’s merely two points of profit. Or does she mean less to you than that?”

Shang Qingmo lifted his head, voice frosty as he declared, “If I hadn’t called you classless to your face before, hear it now loud and clear. Li Tingshen, you’re utterly shameless.”

Li Tingshen merely laughed softly, unfazed.

Shang Qingmo kept going,

“It’s only about raking in more dough. Since you’re that desperate for cash, we’ll toss in extra.”

He paused then, eyeing the scrapped contract on the desk. Right as he moved to stand, Li Tingshen sat up straight and punched a number into his phone.

Having let off some steam, Li Tingshen gave the order,

“Bring the files here.”

“Got it.”

A knock sounded at the office door less than a minute later.

The secretary stepped in with grave poise and set the file down on the desk.

Shang Qingmo glanced over it cursorily—it was an exclusive broadcasting rights agreement, matching what he’d brought except for those extra two profit points.

Shang Qingmo clenched his jaw.

This guy was a sly, brazen fox through and through.

He could picture him directing his secretary to whip up this cheeky deal.

Li Tingshen smiled, motioning for the signature.

Ultimately, Shang Qingmo signed it right there, face like stone.

Then he shot to his feet abruptly and snatched a contract from beside the chair.

“Don’t get too cocky. I’ll have you coughing it all back up eventually.”

Li Tingshen slid the file away and offered a mild smile. “Plenty of time for that.”

Back at the office, after logging the contract, the issue wrapped up for now. Still, Li Tingshen’s earlier words stirred unease, prompting him to head home at midday.

Shang Qiqi had just finished her meal when she clutched her phone and dozed off on the couch.

A maid kindly draped a blanket over her.

Shang Qingmo arrived to find the staff creeping about on tiptoes, his eyes shifting to the sofa.

The household seemed well-accustomed to the scene.

His gaze shadowed a bit. “Eaten yet?”

The butler murmured, “No.”

“Skipped lunch on schedule?”

“Kinda. Miss keeps an erratic sleep pattern. Cooped up at home, she just eats, scrolls her phone, or naps.”

Shang Qingmo’s temples pulsed.

Nearly a week had passed. Fresh off her overseas trip, she hadn’t adjusted to the changed world after five years.

He shut his eyes, tamping down the tangled feelings inside, then strode into the living room.

Her head was propped against the sofa's armrest. Hair loosely tied back, her pale face bore no makeup. Her skin looked even more ashen than that of women compelled to slap on lipstick just to venture outside.

Beauty had always been her passion. She reveled in striding boldly before the gaze of all.

But now, she huddled listlessly on the sofa at home, lost in idle slumber.

He leaned forward, gently sweeping her stray hair aside.

This wasn't how she should look.

They couldn't stay trapped in this state forever.

Suddenly, the phone in her pocket buzzed. Shang Qingmo's heart clenched as he watched the girl dozing on the sofa. Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly lifted open.

“Little Uncle?” she murmured drowsily. Glancing at the brilliant sky beyond the window, she pushed herself upright. “Why are you home so soon?”

Noticing he'd roused her from sleep, he let out a grunt, fished out his phone, and sank down onto the sofa beside her. His gaze turned frosty on the screen, his expression promising retribution.

The message was from Shen Fanxing. Once drama post-production wrapped and copyrights were sold, she'd thrown a special celebration bash, complete with invited reporters.

Shang Qingmo's creased forehead smoothed a touch. Leaving aside Shen Fanxing's own prestige, her initiatives dwarfed anything Li Tingshen had managed.

Hua Chen TV drowned in nonstop controversy. Everyone else steered clear of him. Shen Fanxing, however, proclaimed her alliance with them right at the public festivity. Criticism was bound to follow, and being savvy, she knew it'd splash back on her.

Yet she pressed on regardless.

Since he'd anticipated as much, he had no intention of dragging Shen Fanxing down.

Right as he moved to turn her down, Shang Qiqi's soft yawn gave him pause.

He turned toward the girl, still hazy-eyed. Shang Qiqi caught his look and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shang Qingmo extended a hand to pat her head, murmuring, “Okay.”

Shen Fanxing's face lit up with a smile at his response.

Instead, he punched in a number.

“Suppress the news for another two days.”